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Munster at best as Melbourne Storm No.1

Scott BaileyAAP
Storm will decide whether to deploy Cameron Munster (c) at fullback on a match-by-match basis. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
Camera IconStorm will decide whether to deploy Cameron Munster (c) at fullback on a match-by-match basis. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Cameron Munster says he plays his best football at fullback as Melbourne prepare to take a horses-for-courses approach to his positional shift for the NRL finals.

Munster's move back to the No.1 jersey in the part fortnight has revitalised the Storm's premiership push after they held out Penrith 16-0 on Thursday night to stay in the top four.

A regular half since moving from fullback to five-eighth at the start of 2017, Munster scored a hat-trick at No.1 against Gold Coast last week before also starring against Penrith.

The Storm are without regular custodian Ryan Papenhuyzen for the rest of the year, while Nick Meaney can play at either fullback or five-eighth depending on Munster's role.

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Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy confirmed on Thursday night he would decide the pair's position on a week-by-week basis, dependent on what matches up best with each opposition.

But there must also be a temptation to leave the Queensland State of Origin star at fullback, given the way he has played in recent matches.

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Munster would not say where he preferred to play when asked after Thursday's win, but made no secret of where he believes he plays his best football.

"I missed the open spaces (of playing fullback), that's for sure," he said.

"When I'm in the No.6 I think I have to always ball-play and not run the ball as much.

"At fullback, obviously you create those opportunities at the back still with shape and get some try-assists every now and then.

"But I feel like with the No.1 on my back, I can run the ball and don't have to worry about having to organise the shape.

"And that's where I play my best footy is when running the ball."

Aiding Munster's cause is the shape he's in.

The 27-year-old said he had gone away from so much take-away and delivery food, after becoming a dad and having partner Bianca watching his diet.

"When I was single I could just do whatever I wanted and didn't have to worry about someone on my shoulder trying to push me in the right direction," Munster said.

"I had that mindset of I'll burn it tomorrow, I'll burn it tomorrow.

"Obviously, it doesn't hit you straight away in that week.

"But two or three weeks down the track, you start putting a bit more weight on and you just don't perform or get involved as much as I would like to be."

Munster also claimed his attack was benefiting from making less tackles at the back, while still slotting into the fullback defensive system seamlessly with two try-savers against Penrith.

"It's just that mindset that Bellyache has at the club is just keeping your feet moving, because you never know when you'll be needed," Munster said.

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